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SCL 
Stepan Company (SCL)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
11/05/2025: SCL (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
2 Analysts rated it
Very few follow this stock; limited insights, higher-risk early investing.
1 Year Target Price $85
1 Year Target Price $85
| 0 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 1 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -30.75% | Avg. Invested days 31 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/05/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 979.86M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 21.55 | 1Y Target Price 85 |
Price to earnings Ratio 21.55 | 1Y Target Price 85 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 2 | Beta 1.06 | 52 Weeks Range 41.82 - 78.30 | Updated Date 11/7/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 41.82 - 78.30 | Updated Date 11/7/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 3.60% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.01 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-10-15 | When - | Estimate 0.915 | Actual 0.48 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 1.96% | Operating Margin (TTM) 3.74% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 1.96% | Return on Equity (TTM) 3.67% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 21.55 | Forward PE 12.18 | Enterprise Value 1722682107 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.43 |
Enterprise Value 1722682107 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.43 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.76 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.43 | Shares Outstanding 22619015 | Shares Floating 21441695 |
Shares Outstanding 22619015 | Shares Floating 21441695 | ||
Percent Insiders 4.61 | Percent Institutions 85.8 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Stepan Company
Company Overview
History and Background
Stepan Company was founded in 1932 by Alfred C. Stepan, Jr. Initially focused on manufacturing metallic soaps, the company expanded into surfactants and other specialty chemicals, becoming a major player in the industry.
Core Business Areas
- Surfactants: Stepan's largest business segment, producing surfactants used in detergents, personal care products, and industrial applications. Focuses on anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants.
- Polymers: This segment manufactures polymers used in insulation, construction, and other applications. Primarily includes polyurethane polyols and phthalic anhydride.
- Specialty Products: This segment includes products like emulsifiers, solubilizers, and other additives for various industries, including food, flavor, and nutritional markets.
Leadership and Structure
The company is led by Scott R. Behrens, President and CEO. The organizational structure is based on functional divisions, including sales, marketing, operations, research and development, and finance.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Surfactants for Detergents: Stepan is a leading supplier of surfactants used in laundry detergents and household cleaners. Market share is estimated at 20-25% in North America. Competitors include BASF, Clariant, and Evonik Industries.
- Polyurethane Polyols: Stepan produces polyols used in rigid foam insulation for construction and appliances. Market share estimated around 10-15% in North America. Competitors include Dow, Covestro, and Huntsman.
- Emulsifiers for Food: Stepan offers a range of emulsifiers used in the food and beverage industry. This is a smaller, high-margin segment with moderate market share. Competitors include Cargill, ADM, and Ingredion.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The specialty chemicals industry is driven by demand from various end-markets, including consumer products, construction, and industrial manufacturing. Trends include a focus on sustainability, bio-based materials, and customized solutions.
Positioning
Stepan Company is positioned as a leading supplier of surfactants and specialty chemicals, with a focus on innovation and customer service. Its competitive advantages include a broad product portfolio, strong technical expertise, and a global manufacturing footprint.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The global surfactants market is estimated at USD 45 billion and growing. Stepan Company is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong market position in surfactants
- Diverse product portfolio
- Global manufacturing footprint
- Focus on innovation and sustainability
- Experienced management team
Weaknesses
- Dependence on raw material prices
- Exposure to cyclical industries
- Limited presence in some emerging markets
- Potential for environmental liabilities
Opportunities
- Growth in emerging markets
- Increasing demand for sustainable products
- Expansion into new applications
- Strategic acquisitions
- Develop partnerships with innovative companies.
Threats
- Economic downturns
- Increased competition
- Fluctuations in raw material prices
- Changes in regulations
- Disruptive technologies.
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- BASF (BASFY)
- Clariant (CLN.SW)
- Evonik Industries (EVKIF)
- Dow (DOW)
- Huntsman (HUN)
Competitive Landscape
Stepan Company faces competition from both large global chemical companies and smaller specialized players. Its strengths lie in its product portfolio, technical expertise, and customer service. Its weaknesses include its dependence on raw material prices and exposure to cyclical industries.
Major Acquisitions
Allessa GmbH
- Year: 2020
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 91
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Stepan's capabilities in specialty esters and surfactants for various applications.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Stepan's growth has been driven by organic expansion, acquisitions, and new product development.
Future Projections: Analyst estimates suggest continued growth in revenue and earnings, driven by strong demand for surfactants and specialty chemicals.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include investments in new manufacturing capacity, expansion into new markets, and development of sustainable products.
Summary
Stepan Company is a strong player in the surfactants and specialty chemicals market, with a diverse product portfolio and a global presence. Its focus on innovation and sustainability positions it well for future growth. However, it needs to manage raw material price volatility and competitive pressures to maintain its profitability.
Similar Stocks
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company reports
- Industry analysis
- Financial data providers
- Analyst reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. The data provided is based on publicly available information and may not be complete or accurate. Market share data are estimates and subject to change.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Stepan Company
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Northbrook, IL, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1992-03-17 | President, CEO & Director Mr. Luis E. Rojo | ||
Sector Basic Materials | Industry Specialty Chemicals | Full time employees 2396 | Website https://www.stepan.com |
Full time employees 2396 | Website https://www.stepan.com | ||
Stepan Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells specialty and intermediate chemicals to other manufacturers for use in various end products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. The Surfactants segment offers surfactants that are used in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products, including detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, and floors and walls, as well as shampoos and body washes; and other applications, such as fabric softeners, germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, lubricating ingredients; emulsifiers for spreading agricultural products; and industrial applications comprising latex systems, plastics, and composites. The Polymers segment provides polyurethane polyols that are used in the manufacture of rigid foam for thermal insulation in the construction industry, as well as a base raw material for coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE); polyester resins used in coating applications; specialty polyols, such as CASE and powdered polyester resins; and phthalic anhydride that is used in unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, and plasticizers for applications in construction materials, as well as components of automotive, boating, and other consumer products. The Specialty Products segment offers flavors, emulsifiers, and solubilizers for use in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement, and pharmaceutical applications. Stepan Company was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.
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